Sounds like product differentiation for the sole purpose of making money - kinda like what the toothbrush folk have been doing for years. (I mean come on - it's bristles attached to a stick of some type... how many variations can there be?).

But then, is that a judgment on my part?

Not too worried about a few germs here and there. I use studio mats, no worries. I don't wash my mat that often. Not really a big issue :)

This is a wonderful invention-not only against fungus, but against bacteria and viruses which silver ions kill. The spread of Staph around my gym is scary enough.

I have never cleaned my mat. It doesn't have any obvious bacterial growth but I know it's due for a cleaning. I try to ignore the fact that microbes are infesting my mat and focus on my poses instead.

Please consider the dangers of using mats such as this. While it may kill bacteria that could potentially cause illness, this product could also very well be a hazard to the environment....killing off beneficial bacteria. The clothes mentioned above has been condemned by environmentalists as extremely damaging because each time you wash them, the anti bacterial reaches water systems and (again) destroy good bacteria.

DON'T DO IT!!!!